Sequoia Park Zoo - Eureka, California - small regional zoo covering 5 acres

Occupying about 5 acres of land in Eureka, California, Sequoia Park Zoo is one of the smallest zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is the only accredited zoological park between San Francisco and Portland. Home to a small, carefully selected stable of animals, the Sequoia Park Zoo takes great pride in its unique position and its ability to bring nature and exotic animals to nearly half a million people every year.

The Sequoia Park Zoo first opened in 1907. In its 102 years, it has taken as its mission "to inspire wonder, understanding, and respect for the natural world by providing fun, rewarding, educational experiences that encourage meaningful connections between animals, humans, and our environment.'' Its animal exhibits and activities have been bringing wonder, understanding and fun to area residents for generations.

Popular with families and children, the zoo's Barnyard exhibit is a collection of domestic and farm animals including donkeys, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens and other animals that are familiar to most children. The Barnyard includes a Contact Corral where children can touch and pet animals and even groom the sheep and goats. The Kids Koop offers fun activities like Nellie, the interactive pretend goat for milking, and Arnold the stationary pony.

The newly renovated aviary is home to dozens of local and tropical birds. It offers a naturalized environment for the birds, and a walking path with comfortable benches for visitors. The birds include Cedar waxwings and red-crested turaco, and the honored Sacred Ibis, who has been known to approach visitors if they are still and quiet.

The newest addition to the Sequoia Park Zoo is the Secrets of the Forest exhibit, a naturalized environmental exhibit that houses an entire miniature ecosystem. Secrets of the Forest inhabitants include native pond turtles, garter snakes and other small animals. The zoo even includes the banana slugs, termites and local birds.

The Sequoia Park Zoo offers frequent activities for families and adults. The popular Brew at the Zoo is an annual event that includes sampling brews by local brewers, live music and pub-style food. Another adults only annual event, the Zootini, is a costume party featuring Zootinis, fun and food.

The zoo also runs several summer class/camps for kids ages 5-11. Each session is age-appropriate for specific groups, and themed to appeal to those age groups. What 8-1l year old wouldn't enjoy a course in Animal Grossology or South American Safari? The zoo is managed by the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, and funded through a combination of contributions and fund raising throughout the year, which helps keeps activities like this possible for families.

The Sequoia Park Zoo is open Tuesday through Sundays year round, from 10 AM to 7 PM in the summer, 10 AM to 5 PM in the winter. Some exhibits close earlier. Admission prices range from $2 to $4, with discounts to Eureka residents. For more information on admissions and hours, contact the Sequoia Park Zoo at (707) 441-4263 (recording).